I’ve been of two minds whether to blog my whereabouts the last few days. Oh, I can readily admit I was in DC…but what was I doing there? Well…

I’m contemplating a romantic affair.

Okay, now that I have your attention, let me add that this would be of a strictly literary nature, and my husband is cheering me on. Something much tamer, and in fact nothing to hide, so why have I not mentioned my whereabouts yet?

I was raised a true fantasy and science fiction girl, with only short side trips into mystery allowed and no peeks at that other genre, romance. Except, of course, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, the older Louisa May Alcott books, and even the later Anne books. But those novels were written a long time ago, so they’re classics, not romances. Silly.

But lately I’ve realized that the line between the mystery/thriller books I enjoy and their romantic suspense/intrigue counterparts was pretty thin. The line between urban fantasy and paranormal romance even thinner. And some of the stories in my head don’t have a fantasy or sci-fi element, or one not strong enough for those genres. Where do I send my series about a woman who owns a do jo and trains fighters who have a few extra abilities? What if I suspect that my Keela novels will have more of a chick-lit fantasy feel than an epic fantasy flavor?

I started reading some category and single-title romances, just to see what they had to offer. The writing ran the gamut from choppy and melodramatic to really fabulous, and while some of the sex scenes were beyond my need for a vicarious thrill, others were warm and tasteful. Many of the books don’t actually show any sex at all. In short, their range of quality and content was similar to fantasy and science fiction novels.

Which leads to the big confession…and I know by now it’s no surprise. These past few days I’ve been at the Romance Writers of America’s National Conference. I met lots of fabulous and professional writers, many of whom I hope to get to know better. I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the workshops, and the smooth and business-like presentation of the panels. In short, I found that this is a group of writers and professionals with which I’m delighted to be associated.

Now I have only to cross my fingers that the feeling is mutual!

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